Tree trimming

For safety and reliability, we are responsible for trimming trees around the high voltage lines on a primary service line, the line that goes from pole to pole. We do not trim trees around low-voltage service lines that go into a home or business. However, we can and will drop current to an incoming service line at no cost so you can safely trim trees. To request a service line drop on a future business day, please contact us at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268).

Red "H" illustrates high voltage lines (Alliant Energy’s responsibility to trim)

Green "L" illustrates low-voltage lines (the customer’s responsibility to trim)

Alliant Energy picks up debris when we perform routine tree trimming. During emergency trimming or trimming done during a storm or outage, we are not able to collect the tree debris. We also do not collect the tree debris when a customer requests trimming services. The debris is left on the property for the responsible homeowner to dispose of.

Tree limbs and power lines aren't a good combination – especially when severe weather hits. Trees are a common cause of service interruptions and outages, and a damaging storm can disrupt power for extended periods.

In addition, tree limbs and branches that extend into power lines pose a significant risk to public safety even during mild weather. Someone climbing or trimming a tree that may be intertwined with power lines can come into contact with the wires and be seriously injured.

Our crews, which include both Alliant Energy and contract workers, trim trees on a four- to five-year cycle for each community we serve.

Our professionally trained crews use "directional pruning" methods developed by the National Arborist Association and approved by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

These methods protect the health of the tree while still providing the established minimum safety clearance.

The tree is trained to grow away from the line, minimizing the need for and severity of future trimming.

We are proud to be a long-time National Arbor Day Foundation TreeLine USA Utility for our commitment to public education, tree planting and quality tree care.

For safety reasons, we are granted permission to trim trees under franchise and easement agreements with the communities we serve to trim trees when needed. Alliant Energy does not trim beyond what is necessary for public safety and reliability of electrical service.

The amount of trimming that is done depends on the type of tree and how close it is to the power lines. For example, a fast-growing tree like silver maple may be cut back more than a slow-growing tree.

Around our high-voltage lines, clearance would be approximately 10 to 12 feet for a fast-growing tree, and five to seven feet for a slow-growing tree.

We will not remove a tree without the property owner's permission. If a tree is diseased, dying, storm-damaged or is likely to be severely deformed by trimming, we will suggest it be removed.

At a customer's request, we will consider removing a tree if it interferes with a high-voltage line at the top of a utility pole and if removing it will eliminate the need for future trimming. We will not remove trees near low-voltage service lines to a home or business.

We will move power lines or shut off service so trees can be trimmed or removed safely. We do not trim trees around low-voltage service lines coming into a home or business. Alliant Energy can drop the incoming Service Line at no cost so you are able to safely trim the trees. If you would like to request a Service Line drop for a future business day, please contact us at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268).

Wood chips are available to customers only if a crew is working in their neighborhood. If you're interested in obtaining wood chips, it is your responsibility to locate the crew and make arrangements.

Planting a tree is a great way to help the environment and provide shade on your property. There are many factors that go into choosing the right kind of tree and location to plant it that will have an impact for years to come. Some things to consider are:

• Height- will the tree touch or come to close to anything (power lines, poles, etc) when it is full grown?

• Canopy spread- How wide will the tree grow?

• Growth rate- How long will it take for your tree to reach it’s full height? Typically slow-growing species live longer than fast-growing species.

• Soil, Sun, and moisture requirements

Find more information on This Arbor Day Foundation webpage. They provide many helpful tips and illustrations on choosing the right tree.

Moving power lines underground offers customers many benefits, including more reliability. When Mother Nature strikes, fallen trees, high winds and ice can damage the overhead power lines, causing outages. Once underground, the impact of weather is virtually eliminated, making power more reliable. In addition, once underground, lines are more affordable to maintain over the long term.